Mikel Arteta is obsessed with the Spanish World Cup hero. But getting him out of Atlético Madrid will be far from easy.

Arsenal are willing to empty their bank account for a player that manager Mikel Arteta holds in high regard.

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After finally securing their first Premier League title in 22 years last season, the London club have been active in the transfer market to defend their title. The big signings so far: Bruno Guimarães arrived from Newcastle for £75 million and strengthened the midfield, while winger Christos Tzolis was brought in from Club Brugge for £34 million. – So far, Arsenal have spent 176.5 million euros while it has been sold for only 46.5 million euros. # Look in and out at the bottom of the article.

Arteta charmed by defensive boss

But according to Spanish AS, there is one player Arteta is really passionate about.

Jorge García Hernández, the newspaper’s editor-in-chief for football, reports that Arteta was hugely impressed by Atlético Madrid’s defender Marc Pubill when the two sides met in the Champions League semi-finals last year.

Arsenal won 2-1 on aggregate – and Pubill started both games and played 90 minutes both times.

His performances at the heart of the defence are said to have made such a strong impression that Arteta instructed sporting director Andrea Berta to bring him in – and an attempt was made.

Reportedly, Arsenal were even “ready to empty the coffers”. But such an agreement will be difficult. Atlético value the Spaniard highly – and he has a buyout clause of a staggering €500 million in the contract he signed last summer.

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Unthinkable sale – but Arteta won’t give up

Los Rojiblancos are reportedly working on extending and improving his contract to show how important he is.

Pubill’s versatility is a huge advantage – he can play both full-back and centre-back at a high level.

Although Arteta “wants him in his team”, former Almería player Pubill is seen as non-negotiable. He is also said to have rejected proposals from Arsenal, because he is entirely dedicated to the Atlético project.

He was also part of Spain’s squad that won the World Cup in New Jersey this summer.

Arteta on Lewis-Skelly speculation: ‘It’s a good sign’

Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Christian Nørgaard have all left Arsenal this summer. But there have also been strong rumours about Myles Lewis-Skelly’s future – the 19-year-old is heavily linked with both Manchester United and Chelsea, and is said to be priced at around £45 million.

Lewis-Skelly scored at the Emirates in Wednesday’s friendly against Como – and the celebration caused a stir. He tapped on the Arsenal badge and made a heart with his hands.

Arteta on the celebration and the rumours:

“It’s good to be emotional after scoring. You should be when you put the ball in the goal. He’s a very emotional player – you can see it in his movements on the pitch.

“I don’t want to comment on speculation. If there is speculation around our players, that is a good sign. That means our players attract attention – and do a good job.

Lewis-Skelly is expected to start in midfield in Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Manchester City.

Arsenal FC – Summer 2026 transfers

In

Median age in: 24.3 years
Total market value in: €267,50m
Total Cost: €176.50m

Out

Average age out: 27.4 years
Total market value out: €111,00m
Total Income: €46,15m

Transition balance